An Unforgettable Journey!

I stumbled upon an old ID card from my days at MedPlus Health Services Limited . This seemingly insignificant discovery set off a chain of memories, taking me back in time, and revealing the incredible journey that has led me to where I am today and reminding me about where I am supposed to be in a few years from now. Thought I would put down my journey here to revisit when I want to and be reminded of the journey I can never get over about!

Should it be chapters? bullets?...

I'll stick to small chapters!

Chapter 1: Decisions at Thirteen

At the age of 13, I found myself standing at crossroads that would shape my destiny. Driven by an unwavering sense of responsibility, I made the difficult choice to drop out of school and embark on a journey of supporting my family. Thus began my journey into the working world, from distributing newspapers to navigating the intricate landscape of pharmacies, pharmaceutical distribution, apparel stores, grocery shops, hotels, decoratives, credit card sales, loan sales, book distribution, and assisting local business owner, a journey of experiences that etched their mark on my character including delivering any piece from anywhere to everywhere irrespective of the weight on my shoulders.

Not to forget, KMs of walking, KMs of journey in various transports and lifts by some of the few people on the road everyday :)

Chapter 2: Balancing Dreams and Reality

Amidst the hustle to provide what is needed for my family, I always had a dream to complete my education and earn a degree. Irrespective the challenges, I pursued my studies through distance education, starting from the 10th grade and continuing through the 12th. Lucky, I was able to make it through the exams and get some scores to clear it :D

Then the search for knowledge led me to a college offering evening classes, allowing me to attend lectures after a day of hard work which was mandate for me to ensure bread and shelter for myself and my family.

College days? Unlike others, all I had is a couple of classes a month and overnight studies with my buddies before the exams :)

As I approached the final year of my degree, a spark ignited within me. With the knowledge gained from hands-on business and customer interactions the last few years, I decided to take a leap of faith and start my own business, thus, Iris was born.

For four years, Iris allowed me to experience the harsh realities and challenges of entrepreneurship, providing insights that went beyond the realms of traditional education. Yes, I had to shut down Iris!

Chapter 3: Embracing Failure as a Teacher

The fourth year of Iris brought closure to the business, but with it came a wealth of invaluable lessons. In the face of adversity, I learned more than what conventional schools and colleges could offer for people around. Undeterred by failure, I transitioned into the corporate world, working at Religare , Medplus, Shoppers Stop Reliance Retail and more...

With a thirst for growth, I recognized a world beyond the one I knew. The pursuit of a career that matched my experiences led me to [24]7.ai marking the beginning of a new chapter. 15 months of dedication and self-discovery opened doors to more significant opportunities.

These 15 months helped me learn what was missing in the last 8 years of my professional journey.

Chapter 4: Freecharge: A Metamorphic Experience

OMG! Freecharge a pivotal moment in my journey. In the four years spent at Freecharge, I did not only play multiple roles in product management, support, success, and sales but also gained a broader perspective on business, career and life. For the first time in a decade, I wasn't just surviving; I was thriving.

With newfound knowledge and a renewed sense of purpose, I sought to break free from the limitations I faced. Consulting for BPOs and assisting new businesses in setting up operations, support processes, and success processes gave me a deeper understanding of business dynamics.

Chapter 5: Resilience in the Face of Setbacks

Simultaneously, I continued my pursuit of a full-time job, joining two startups. Though faced with failure, I seized each setback as an opportunity to learn and grow. Fate took an unexpected turn when a chance meeting with Keka HR opened the door to the third phase of my life.

Unfamiliar with the world of HR, I took on the challenge with zeal. For three months, I immersed myself in understanding the intricacies of HR, meeting professionals, having countless coffees, and patiently waiting to comprehend the challenges they faced. Thanks to those sweet #HR leaders who helped me shape my knowledge around HR.

Of yes, I also got my Masters, of course, distance again :)

Chapter 6: The Director at Keka

Equipped with the knowledge acquired during those three transformative months and past few years, I embraced the role of CS Lead at Keka. Onboarding more than 500 customers, hiring 500 individuals, interviewing over 10,000 candidates, and experimenting with over 20 processes each step was a testament to my resilience, determination, and strategic thinking giving me the fruit of the today I am in. While I did not or do not look at the designations, I felt it is important for people to dream about their career, hustle and get where they want to just like me or better than me.

True that, the journey was far from easy. There were moments of frustration, tears, and struggles. I didn't just survive, I thrived through the chaos, learning and enjoying every bit of it.

Today, I stand proud, and grateful for the support of God, luck, family, colleagues, friends, ex-bosses, and especially my current boss and people.

My journey is to the belief that success is not solely determined by academics. Instead, it is carved through hardships, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to one's dreams.

As I continue to lead my team at Keka, my story serves as a rallying call for the youth to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and persist in the pursuit of their passions.

In the end, success is not just about reaching a destination; it's about the journey, the lessons learned, and the person you become along the way.

#success #startup #growth #life

Best,

Chethan